’12 Years A Slave’ star Lupita Nyong’o in talks for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ role

12 Years A Slave star Lupita Nyong’o is the latest name to be linked with Star Wars: Episode VII.

There have been scores of casting rumours about JJ Abrams’ sci-fi reboot since it was announced he would be directing the film, and the Hollywood Reporter says that Nyong’o – who won the Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years – has reportedly held preliminary talks about starring in the film.

Last week (March 14), it was claimed that Attack The Block actor John Boyega could be a potential lead in the film, after he was reportedly in contention for the role of a Jedi apprentice along with Ed Speleers, Jesse Plemons and theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

Girls actor Adam Driver will take on the picture’s main villainous role, while a clutch of other names have also been linked with the film: Judi Dench and Gary Oldman have both recently been rumoured to be taking on a role in the flick, while Atonement‘s Saoirse Ronan and The Wire actor Michael B Jordan have both revealed they have auditioned for roles.

Benedict Cumberbatch, who worked with director JJ Abrams on last year’s Star Trek Into Darkness, has also been linked to the project too and Zac Efron revealed earlier this week that he had held preliminary talks with the film’s producers.

More recently, meanwhile, it was revealed that Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford will reprise their roles from the original trilogy in the film. The trio portrayed iconic characters Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo in the first run of films.